Monday, January 14, 2013

She's Here! Baby #3 born

I had planned to post the final segment on the dollhouse, but ended up going into labor last Tuesday!

I was shocked, as it was 2.5 weeks early and I've never gone into labor spontaneously.

At 4pm I started having contractions and thought "Crap! I'm not ready for this!"

As much as I was thrilled to no longer be pregnant, I still had a whole list of things I wanted, or felt like I needed to do before she came.

But she was ready so she came!

We got to the hospital at 9pm after my husband got home from work and arranging for our other kids.

She was born at 11:30 pm, so a pretty quick, routine delivery overall.

I did hyperventilate during transition--which was weird. I was sitting on a birthing ball and had a monster contraction that lasted forever, and I guess my breathing got too shallow and fast because all the sudden my arms and hands went numb, followed by my face. Then they started yelling at me to breathe slower and that helped. Luckily my husband was behind me and I didn't fall backwards off that birthing ball or something. I guess whatever happens during birth, I don't want to become a funny story that lingers around LandD nurses for years to come! So that turned out OK once I decided breathing should be a top priority.

After the monster contraction, transition was actually over and I crawled back into the bed and rolled on my back, as my water exploded all over the bed, splashing onto the doctor and the floor, kind of reminding me of this scene from Coneheads, Luckily for the doctor, she'd already put on the gown when it erupted.

Then little Isabella was here in 2 contractions and our family went from four to five.

Here's the token "swamp hag" picture.

My friend said once she feels like such a swamp hag right after birth and I thought it was an accurate description of how I feel physically.

Some women look beautiful with right after the birth, but I never have styled hair or makeup.

I always look...like I just had a baby a few minutes ago, sweaty, worn out, but full of joy.

Despite not being a glamour shot, it's one of favorite pictures from having a newborn.

For me, it captures one of the best moments of my life to really hold my baby for the first time.

There's a side of so much relief, physical and emotional that she's here and safe and healthy, then just the overwhelming love of seeing your baby and looking in their squinty little eyes for the first time.
All the months of barfing, exhaustion, discomfort, physical deformity, and pain all become worth it in one moment.

The kids have adjusted well.

We were most concerned with Ellie, but she's been either loving or indifferent, so it's been good.

RJ's pretty excited to have another baby sister, but still mentions the "next baby is going to be a brother".

Mom's not even thinking about a next baby to further that conversation.

Here's the two sisters:

So little Isabella's almost a week old now and we're doing great.

My mom came up the day after she was born and takes care of pretty much everything.

I've recovered physically so much faster this time around.

I usually don't get out of pajamas for weeks, but on Sunday I actually got dressed and did my hair.

Shocker!

So we are doing great and have had such a happy week welcoming Isabella into our family.

We're looking forward to her due date next week because my husband only got the one day off to get me home from the hospital, and had to go right back to work.

He has an entire week off after the due date, which we're all excited for, and another reason my mom saves the day again!

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I do have some baby projects I started before she was born and will hopefully finish to post soon...or whenever it feels more interesting than cute little baby hands and feet!

We tried really hard to get a picture of me with all the kids, but this was probably the best in all honesty.

I can't believe I have three kids!

I've just felt so happy and grateful these this last week for the blessing of three healthy kids, and an amazing mom and husband.

We've just been living in this happy bubble of the new baby and family this last week and I hope it continues to last...although I haven't had to take them all with me to a grocery store alone yet.

And I still haven't figured out how to manage three kids alone at church when my husband has to work weekends...but I have a little time to figure out that one.

93 comments:

I usually do not leave comments, but I had to disagree with the statement that you do not look good in your "Mommy and Brand New Baby" picture. Before I read your comment, I was thinking how beautiful that picture was. I love what it conveys. All the usual, accepted, outward standards of what is important, what is beautiful, etc., are stripped away and what is left is what is truly important and beautiful: the love and bond of the mother and her newborn.

I agree with Inca - I think you look beautiful in that picture and the others!! Congratulations, Jess!!! I'm so happy for your family! Soak it up! She is gorgeous - fits right in with her big brother and sister!

Big congrats on the beautiful baby girl. Seriously you look totally beautiful in the 'swamp hag' picture. Personally I find it ridiculous putting make up on for a photo right after giving birth but maybe that is just me?

OMIGOSH! Congratulations!! She is soooo beautiful, I love her name, and her little mop of fuzzy hair is just fantastic. Em was hairy like that and I just loved it. You look gorgeous, the prettiest 'swamp hag' I've ever seen in my life. Congrats to the whole family, and what a fun birth story too! Take care, you five!

Congratulations! What a beautiful baby...love the hair...and beautiful other children! I agree, the after pic and all the others are so good. Nothing is as beautiful as a new mom and child. Today is my youngest daughters birthday, she is 32 and has 2 sisters. I have thought of our visit to the hospital so long ago, only doesn't seem so long ago. Enjoy them as they grow quick you have surely found. I have relived my girls growing up thru my (6) grand daughters! Children are the best!

congratulations on the birth of your gorgeous baby girl!I am jealous of all of her hair!! Ive never had a baby with so much hair .. my 7 were near bald!!May she bring lots of peace, love, joy & happiness to the family.

She is so precious! Congratulations! My first born had a head of hair just like Isabella, it was my favorite thing about my girl! ...until it started falling out:) Wishing you all the best and many blessings!

She is GORGEOUS! Congrats! I always thought the reason women look so beautiful right after having a child is because of the joy. There are few things in life that eclipse the moment of meeting your child for the first time. You look lovely and so happy. :o)

She is beautiful! I love her hair! You look great...I hope the adjustment continues to go well! As for church, my husband is in our bishopric and we had our 5th baby two months ago...we have a young woman in our ward sit with us to help:)

the picture with you and all the kids is the best one that could have been taken.it's everybody as they are, themselves, their emotions and a very happy mommy. I would have this picture framed and look at it every day!

Oh goodness she is just such a doll, I could just eat her up! The picture of your two girls, squeal! Adorable! We have the opposite set of kids, two girls and the baby boy. :) Three is exciting! And a bit nervewracking, the intro to parenting Level MoreKidsThanHands ;)

CONGRATULATIONS REMARKABLE BEAUTIFUL. Do you do everything perfectly?? I was concerned when it was a little while since an email posting and hoped that it was this sort of GOOD NEWS. Well, we know that with your heart right for having your little ones in church you will get the help.Again congratulations and THANK YOU>

you are not a swamp hag. you look great. and as for the new babaloo.... I LOVE FUZZ HEADS!! she's a cutie. I'm due 14 Feb, but today i went and got checked, and I'm a centimeter dilated and 70% effaced!!! I KNOW!! i'm supposed to have 4 more weeks, but... we'll see. I love your pix and your kids are all cuties. way to go momma.

Lol, I always feel like a swamp hag right after having a baby too... but you don't look like one, you look beautiful! I love all the photos, little Isabella is perfectly scrunchy and huggable. And I love her little shock of hair. Congratulations! =)

Congratulations!! She is beautiful and you are soooo NOT a swamp hag - I love your early pics!Oh, enjoy her - I enjoyed baby number three the best of all - and make sure you make the most of having your mum around and then your husband and put your feet up from time to time ;)I'm glad you had such a straightforward birth, it makes for such a good start doesn't it.Best wishes and lots of love, Libby X

congrats! i love your first pic with your baby, the joy, not the "hope my hair looks cute" like some women i totally envy! :) love how well your moment was captured. take a big break and enjoy your gorgeous new baby.

wow! congratulations! you look utterly joyful and gorgeous in the shot after the delivery. seriously, I look like a MESS after delivering (But being in labor for 24 hours, followed by an hour of pushing will probably do that to anyone?....) but you look like you're completely alive. And my goodness, you look great for just having had your third child. I'm looking at the state of my midsection at 16 weeks with my third, and wondering what horrors are going to await me when this pregnancy is all over. Lol. Somehow my first left me looking awesome afterwards, and the second blew my stomach muscles all apart and they never went back together. Every pregnancy is different just like the kids I suppose!